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BD permits yen,

German mark accounts

DHAKA: Bangladesh Bank, the country's central bank, will now permit non-resident Bangaldeshis to maintain commercial bank accounts in yen and German marks, a bank statement said.

"Bangladesh Bank has authorised the commercial banks to maintain foreign currency accounts of Bangladesh nationals working abroad in Deutschemarks and Japanese yen," said the statement, released on Saturday.

Bangladeshis are currently allowed to keep accounts in US dollars and sterling.

It said foreign exchange dealers would also be allowed to maintain accounts in yen and marks with the central bank.

"This will offer us more flexibility to give better services to our clients," said one dealer with a foreign bank.

The statement added: "Some other categories of persons or firms who are currently authorised to maintain foreign currency accounts like Non-Resident Foreign Currency Deposit (NFCD) account, Resident Foreign Currency Deposit (RFCD) account and foreign currency accounts may also now be maintained in Deutsche mark and Japanese yen in addition to US dollar and pound sterling.-Reuter